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Thank Physicist Michael Faraday For Your Electronics

September 19, 2016

Written byCuriosity Staff

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Physicist and chemist Michael Faraday is credited for having said, "There's nothing quite as frightening as someone who knows they are right." But when it came to electromagnetism, Faraday got a lot of things just right. The scientist, born on September 22, 1791, in south London, made scientific discoveries and advancements that are present in almost all of the electronics we deal with today. Specifically, Faraday was a pioneer in the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry.

In 1831, Faraday made the huge discovery of electromagnetic induction. This is the principle behind the electric transformer and generator, devices that are often used today. Discovering electromagnetic induction was a huge step in making electricity a tangible, practical, and powerful new technology, instead of just a curious concept. He was partly responsible for creating the words electrode, cathode, and ion. He also invented the Faraday cage, which is a shield that blocks electricity from affecting what's inside the cage. This technology is present in MRI machines, microwaves, and cables and is even responsible for the suits that power linemen wear. Learn more about Faraday's amazing scientific advancements in the videos below.